Chess Puzzle #Sn1A4 — Master, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen d2; rooks c1/c7; bishop h6; pawns d5/f2/g3/h2. Black: king f8; queen e4; rooks a8/b8; bishop e7; pawns d6/e5/f6/g7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: gxh6 — pawn g7→h6, captures bishop. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxh6+ — queen d2→h6, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kf7 (king f8→f7).
3. Best move: Qh5+ — queen h6→h5, gives check. Opponent replies Qg6 (queen e4→g6).
4. Best move: Rxe7+ — rook c7→e7, captures bishop, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, exposed king, long, middlegame. The key move Qxh6+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: rr3k2/2R1b1p1/3p1p1B/3Pp3/4q3/6P1/3Q1P1P/2R3K1 b - - 0 27

Solve this puzzle interactively on Brilliant Knight — free tactics training powered by Stockfish 18, no signup required.